Drain Cleaning
Clogged kitchen sinks, slow bathroom drains and backed-up basement floor drains.
Serving Chicagoland Since 1993
Overhead Sewer Systems in Evanston, IL
If your basement takes on sewer water every time a big storm hits, an overhead sewer is the strongest way to keep it out. Evanston's combined sewers can fill up in heavy rain. Your basement doesn't have to. Our Evanston office is on Orrington Avenue, downtown.
Does Your Evanston Home Need an Overhead Sewer?
Consider one when:
Backups Follow Heavy Rain
Not dry days.
Your Lateral Is Clear on Camera
And it still backs up.
The Basement Is Finished
Or you'd like it to be.
You've Filed a Claim Before
And don't want another.
How an Overhead Sewer System Works
Every drain below the street sewer's flow line, like your floor drain, a basement bathroom, or a laundry line, normally relies on gravity to reach the sewer. An overhead sewer system reroutes those drains into a sump pit instead. An ejector pump lifts that wastewater up to a line above flood level, where a check valve keeps it from flowing back down. From there, gravity carries it the rest of the way to the street sewer, the same as every drain upstairs.
Overhead Sewers in Evanston
The whole city runs on combined sewers. The city added relief sewers from 1991 to 2008, but a big enough storm can still fill the system.
Older Basements
We plan the pit and piping around old foundations and low ceilings.
Finished Basements
We route new piping to limit how much finish work is disturbed.
Camera First
A blocked lateral can cause backups too. A sewer repair may be enough.
Overhead Sewer vs. Backflow Valve vs. Standpipe
Common options in Evanston:
| Standpipe | Backflow Valve | Overhead Sewer System | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Raises the floor drain opening | Closes on reverse flow | Lifts all basement wastewater above flood level |
| Best for | Occasional light backups | Moderate risk | Repeat backups and finished basements |
| Basement fixtures | Not protected | Partly protected | Fully protected |
We'll tell you which one fits your basement.
The J. Blanton Difference773-724-9272
What Happens When You Call J. Blanton
Start with the line.
1. Camera First
Rule out a simpler fix.
2. Plan the Layout
Pit, pump and piping.
3. Flat Price, Water-Tested
Before we leave.
Planning an Overhead Sewer in an Older Evanston Basement
Older basements bring a few questions. How deep is the sewer where it leaves the house? Where can a pit go without hitting footings? Can the new line rise along a wall without blocking a window or the furnace? Is there a finished ceiling to work around? We answer those during the first visit, so the plan and price you approve match your basement, not a generic layout.
Customer Stories
Real Overhead Sewer System Reviews
4.8 stars from 870 Google reviews for our Evanston office.
★★★★★
"Wally and Ted replaced our overhead sewer system's broken ejector pump and did a camera inspection of our sewer line. A few days later, Shane came to replace our venting pipe on the system with a correct setup and angle coming out of the pit per Wally's recommendation. Great work was done by everyone."
★★★★★
"Boomer and Steve were excellent. Fair pricing, completely professional, and tidy on a complex problem with a basement overhead system in a tight space. Grateful for trustworthiness and prompt work!"
★★★★★
"Our entire sewer system was collapsed, but Kyle and his crew offered peace of mind options at reasonable prices. They dug out our entire basement 10 - 11 inches for more livable space, and installed an overhead sewer system. Their quality work and additional measures to help ensure we would never have to worry about a wet or flooded basement went beyond our expectations."
Got Questions?
Overhead Sewer Questions From Evanston Homeowners
Basement wastewater is pumped up and out.
Basement drains flow into a sealed pit. A pump lifts the water to a new line near the ceiling, which drains by gravity above the flood level.
The pump needs backup power.
The pump needs power, so a battery backup or generator is worth considering.
No.
No. That's groundwater, a separate problem.
Usually a few days.
Usually a few days, depending on the layout and fixtures.
Yes.
Yes. The bathroom drains to the new pit, and the pump lifts it out.
It depends on your basement. You'll approve a flat price first.
It depends on sewer depth, layout, fixtures and access. You'll approve a flat-rate price before we start.
Annual Protection Plan
Join the No Drip Club for Year-Round Sewer Protection
Prevent catastrophes before they disrupt your life. The No Drip Club ensures your waste and sewer lines are monitored and serviced regularly by J. Blanton’s absolute best.
- Two Free Professional Maintenance Visits per Year
- 10% Discount on All General Plumbing & Sewer Services
- 5-Year Parts and Labor Warranty on Approved Projects
- VIP Priority Scheduling Status (Skip the Queue)
What We Fix
Plumbing Services in Evanston
Learn More
Sewer Repair
Cracked clay pipe, roots and repeat backups in laterals that can be 80 to 100 years old.
Leak & Pipe Repair
Leaking water lines, hidden leaks behind plaster and worn-out pipe in older homes.
Water Heaters
Repair and replacement for tank and tankless water heaters that leak, make noise or run out of hot water too fast.
Catch Basins
Cleaning and repair for yard and driveway catch basins that back up when it rains.
Toilets & Showers
Running toilets, leaky shower valves and new fixture installs.
Emergency Plumbing
Burst pipes, sewer backups and no hot water, any time of day or night.
Local Office, 24/7 Phone
Ready to Protect Your Basement?
Our Evanston office is at 1603 Orrington Ave #600-1085, and our phone line is open 24/7.
We also serve Wilmette, Skokie, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Rogers Park, Glenview, Winnetka and more.
Need a Plumber?Call our Evanston Office
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